A20217:684
The ruin of RomeThe ruine of Rome
The ruin of Rome: or An exposition upon the whole Revelation Wherein is plainly showed and proved, that the popish religion, together with all the power and authority of Rome, shall ebb and decay still more and more throughout all the churches of Europe, and come to an utter overthrow even in this life before the end of the world. Written especially for the comfort of Protestants, and the daunting of papists, seminary priests, Jesuits, and all that cursed rabble. Published by Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobery in Essex.The ruine of Rome: or An exposition vpon the whole Reuelation Wherein is plainly shewed and proued, that the popish religion, together with all the power and authoritie of Rome, shall ebbe and decay still more and more throughout all the churches of Europe, and come to an vtter ouerthrow euen in this life before the end of the world. Written especially for the comfort of Protestants, and the daunting of papists, seminary priests, Iesuites, and all that cursed rabble. Published by Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobery in Essex.
London: printed by T. Creede for Simon Waterson and Cuthbert Burby, 1603London: printed by T. Creede for Simon Waterson and Cutbert Burby, 1603
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Fourthly, by whom, and when it shall be overthrown.
Fourthly, by whom, and when it shall be ouerthrowne.
Lastly, the causes of the utter ruin and overthrow thereof.
Lastly, the causes of the vtter ruine and ouerthrow thereof.
But before I go about to prove that Babylon here is Rome, I would have it carefully observed,1 what is meant by Rome, viz. not the topography of Rome, that is, so much ground only as is compassed within the walls of that City, but the regiment, government, & prerogative that is claimed by virtue of that monarchy, whereof Rome is the head. By Rome is meant the power and authority of Rome: or to speak plainly, by Rome is meant the Roman monarchy. Further, we are here to observe the reason why the Holy-Ghost ⟨p. 208⟩calleth Rome Babylon: for Rome literally & properly taken, is not Babylon, in as much as they were two divers Cities, one in Italy, the other in Chaldea: But Rome is called Babylon mystically, figuratively, &, as the Holy-ghost speaketh, spiritually, and by a kind of allusion.2 For as the old Eastern Babylon did a long time oppress the church of the Jews: so Rome this Western Babylon, hath long oppressed the church of the Christians. As the Eastern Babylon did many years hold down the people of God, in miserable bondage and servitude: so the Western Babylon did a long time keep the Christian Church, in spiritual thraldom and misery. In which respects Rome is spiritually compared to Sodom and Egypt: chapter 11.8. To Sodom for filthiness, and to Egypt for idolatry, and keeping Gods Church in spiritual bondage, and slavery. And thus we see the reason why Rome is called Babylon, which is not simply, and properly, but after a sort, that is, by a phrase of speech, or trope which they call a Metonymy, or changing of names, when that is given to one thing, which is proper to another, for the likeness of quality that it hath with it, or adjoined unto it.